Team «Thunder»

East Kazakhstan Region

Ust-Kamenogorsk

«THUNDER» project

Rakhimberdinov Daniyar daniyar000@gmailcom

Tsybry Egor westapple324@gmail.com

Cherepanov Mark markcherepanovwv@gmail.com

Butova Irina butova_ira@mail.ru

Introduction

The aircraft design didn't change in principle since the creation of the first passenger air transport by the Boeing company in the mid 60s of the 20th century. Airlines trust the old tested concepts of aircraft and the infrastructure doesn't change significantly, which is economically proven. However, in modern innovative world, there is an acute question of the technical re-equipment of the air transport. Therefore, the goal of our project was to create not a futuristic model, we want to create a real aircraft model, which would satisfy the existing conditions of international airports. The foundation of the project has become the existing or actively developed ideas and research of nowadays. Thus, we would like to present you our innovative concept – project «THUNDER»

Fuselage

The fuselage design of our model is a double bubble concept that provides a flattened cabin shape. The double-bubble does not rely on expensive technology to achieve its goals, it uses simple yet effective construction features and abilities. The fuselage keeps a circular shape that prevents the flow separation at moderate angles of attack or sideslip, and also helps to resist the loads with tension stresses.

The double-bubble form has significant aerodynamic advantages. The wider body and shaped nose allow the body of aircraft to generate more lift particularly at the nose. This allowed the wings to get thinner, reduced drag, which they generate. Since the main purpose of the tail wing was to create lift in the front of the aircraft, which is an important characteristic of stability, therefore the creation of a lift by a shaped nose in our model allowed us to reduce and alleviate the tail wing.

Advantages of this design:1. A significant reduction in fuel costs up to 35%.2. The increase in the space inside without a special increase in the mass of

the aircraft.3. The wide-body type, which will be described in more detail later, allows

the engines to be placed in the tail section.4. Improved passenger conditions: a wide cabin, more free space above your

head, the ability to accommodate passengers on the seats on the system 2-3-2 and the creation of 2 passes along the cabin.

5. Reducing the length and installation of 2 power frames allows you to increase strength and reduce prolonged vibrations.

6. Designed to fit into existing gates and operate from even shortly runways to maximize airport compatibility.

Wings

In our project we decided to use a special type of wing – Transonic Truss-Braced Wing. In «Thunder» modern technologies are used, which allow to accelerate to the highest speeds. However, when we approach supersonic speeds, a lot of problems arise. Since in the nearest future the sonic plane will not be beneficial for both the airlines and their customers, we have chosen the model with transonic speed, the transition stage between subsonic and supersonic speeds. Despite the fact that most of the difficulties are absent in such model, it also has some challenges. For example, in this flight mode, the speed of air flow varies considerably on the surface of the wing. Subsequently, due to such drops, strong instability and shock waves are created. Therefore, a support was used in our model, which strengthens the wing and thus helps to solve problems, arising at transonic speeds. Also, increasing the overall surface of the wing, the prop creates additional lift. Transonic Truss-Braced wings allow you to increase the speed from 0.70–0.75 Mach to 0.80 Mach and reduce fuel consumption by 8-10%. This design fits and complements perfectly the overall concept of the “Thunder” project

Winglets

In the design of our model winglets were provided – a special aerodynamic wing tips. Creation of winglets allowed to reduce fuel consumption by 3-7%. However, winglets proved to be effective only in flying at the cruise speed of an airliner. Their main problems are connected with the aircraft’s becoming more sensitive to the side wind, the increase of drag and the necessity of wing reinforcement for their setting. The prototype model “Thunder” represents a system of double winglets, which creates a special vertical pressure to help balance the wing tip, minimize reverse thrust and optimize fuel efficiency. In addition, we propose to develop a system for adaptive control over the winglets and install the outside surfaces of the wing on free swivel joints that change their angle with the help of modern environmental sensors. As a result, the winglets cease to be ballast - whirlwinds direct the tip and it occupies the most optimal position in each flight mode.

Engines

We believe that next revolution in aviation industry will be electric engines, however current technologies are not sufficient to utilize the full use of batteries in the mid-sized aircrafts. The ratio of the energy to the weight of electrical batteries is well below than that of kerosene propulsion systems, because batteries have low energy storage. Therefore, the ideal solution for the nearest future is a hybrid system.

We analyzed the following ideas:

1. Electrically assisted propulsion system (EAPS)This electrical system is used as a secondary system which supports existing

engine system to increase the overall efficiency in certain phases of the flight. Therefore, take-off and landing of our plane occurs with a traction of a main engine, and due to the construction of our fuselage, electrical engines allow to reduce the noise inside the cabin and to decrease the emission into the atmosphere during the flight.

2. Traditional installation scheme of the fuel engineThe advantage of engines under the wing is first the short connection to the

fuel tank, which is located inside the wing. The load is distributed evenly, because the mass of the engines is practically in the center.

Moreover, this scheme allows for the quicker and more convenient maintenance.

3. The installation of electrical engines in the tail of the aircraft. BLI engines.

This system, which is developed by NASA, provides an opportunity to locate engines closely to the back of the aircraft and in turn allows to absorb the flow of the boundary layer, which is accumulated and slowly moves on the surface of the aircraft. By using the kinetic energy of the air flow, the engine increases its power. This system also prevents the creation of a vortex and pressure drops under the tail of the plane, which cause a certain resistance. Statistics shows that the fuel consumption is reduced by 8.5%.

One of the key advantages of parallel connection is that both an electric system and a turbofan engine can work independently and together. Therefore, this scheme guarantees security because in case of lack of fuel or fuel engine malfunction, the pilot has control over the aircraft and can make a safe landing.

Electronic devices

Electronic devices - the closest and affordable technology with great potential. We used and refined the most interesting of them.

Digital twins and AI system

A digital twin refers to a virtual replica of a physical asset, like an aircraft engine, which can display how the engine is running to engineers on the ground while the aircraft is still in the air. AI ability can analyze data during a flight and correctly predict the right moment to repair or replace a part. All data will be encrypted by blockchain. These can then prevent accidents, optimize maintenance processes and operational availability.

Composite materials

Major structural elements will be made of composite materials rather than aluminum alloys. Fiberglass, carbon laminate composite and carbon sandwich composite will comprise more than 50% of materials used in the plane body by weight. These innovative materials are harder and lighter than aluminum, have high corrosion resistance and resistance to damage from fatigue (=lower operating costs). Also added flex elements and notched surface of wing hundreds of small identical pieces and dimples. By tweaking the flexibility of specific structures in specific locations, we can dynamically transform them in flight to create the optimal shape for flight conditions, such as takeoff and cruising. The estimated fuel efficiency increase is 7-9%.

Cabin

The passenger cabin of the aircraft is designed with comfort in mind for both economy and business class passengers. New seats have been designed for economy passengers. The seats are specially developed for long flights and are intended to meet all your sleep needs; including, ergonomic neck support and back support with adjustable hardness. The chairs are made of composite materials to reduce their weight.

An innovative smart cabin pressure system will be installed in the plane. Pressure meters measure the air pressure in the cabin and then adjusts it during the flight to make the passengers feel more comfortable.

With electronic devices getting cheaper, personal LED displays, WIFI and voice controlled in-flight entertainment systems will be available to passengers.

Design

Stained glass style was inspired by the «Ruhani Zhangyru» cultural program logo. This program is an important stage in the life of the society of Kazakhstan and therefore we decided to reflect it in our design.

Conclusion

We presented the modern project, trying to implement our dreams. We hope these ideas will be used by leading aircraft manufacturers. With the support of Air Astana and specialists of Cranfield University, we expect to see new innovative future planes in the sky of Kazakhstan.